Mehno: The Fan dropped the ball on Coonelly's DUI ban

Saturday

Pirates president Frank Coonelly was charged with driving under the influence and issued an apology. His boss, Bob Nutting, outlined the team's reaction and position.

The only people with nothing to say were most of the talk show hosts on 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM), where management declared the subject off limits.

So for most of Thursday, any mention of the breaking Coonelly story was confined to the thrice-hourly news updates. Just the facts, no opinions or discussions allowed.

Big, bad mistake by The Fan.

The gag order was intended to protect the Pirates, who signed a four-year agreement last October to have their games broadcast on the station.

The Pirates didn't need that. Coonelly faced up to the issue (albeit two months after the fact) and ownership addressed it as well. So let people react and, more importantly, let the hosts discuss the topic.

The Fan needs the Pirates, but the station also needs credibility with listeners. That can't be developed if management quashes discussion to protect business arrangements.

Pitt was unhappy with Fan afternoon host John Seibel's opinions on its football program. Was it a coincidence that Seibel was replaced last year as the sideline reporter on Pitt football broadcasts?

If the station had allowed Coonelly discussion, it probably would have fizzled out by sundown. By banning the topic, they called more attention to it and raised questions about what ramifications might come from the station's relationship with the Pirates.

KDKA management realized the mistake and allowed the topic late on Thursday, then admitted its error in a memo to the staff on Friday.

But what should Fan listeners conclude? If a host says he thinks the Pirates have turned the corner, is it a genuine opinion or management-mandated happy talk? If the Pirates lose for a 20th straight season and a host blasts them, will management order him to change the subject?

The Fan embarrassed itself with an ill-advised attempt to spare the Pirates that fate.

Making it work

New Pitt football coach Paul Chryst said he'll evaluate his players, then devise systems that best fit their talents.

After what happened last year, that logic seems almost revolutionary.

No fear

This is why you love hockey players and question their sanity: Penguins forward Arron Asham, just back after missing 13 games with a concussion, threw off his gloves in Tuesday's game against New York, ready to fight Rangers enforcer Stu Bickel.

The summit

What a relief that Ben Roethlisberger and new offensive coordinator Todd Haley finally had their initial meeting.

The way things were going, their first sit-down seemed destined to wind up as a pay-per-view event.

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